Emily Gail Whitaker

Emily Gail Whitaker, 74, of Oakland City, Ind., formerly of Griffin, Ind., born December 8, 1951, to Billy Wesley and Mary Ann (Endicott) Crofts in Evansville, Ind., passed away, Sunday, November 8, 2026 at Heart to Heart Hospice in Evansville, Ind.

She graduated from North Posey High School in 1969 and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She was an Inspector at Anchor Industries for 12 years and a licensed beautician. She enjoyed painting, crafts, making quilts and wedding cakes. Her nieces and nephews referred to her as “The Funniest Baby Sitter Ever.”

Surviving are her husband: Lester Alvie Whitaker; son: Benjamin Daniel Whitaker (Ulyana Yatsiv); daughter: Catherine Renea Whitaker (Timothy London, Jr.); brother: Samuel W. Crofts (Anne); sisters: Donna K. Hedge, Nina A. Harnishfeger (Kenneth) and Mary Beth Tucker (John); along with 3 grandchildren: Trenton London, Timothy London, III and Sophia Yatsiv.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son: Russell Thomas Whitaker; sister: Rebecca Jean Crofts.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Monday, November 16, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Poseyville, Ind., with burial to follow in St. Francis Cemetery near Poseyville, Ind.

A Rosary service will start at 2 p.m., Sunday, November 15, 2026, with visitation to follow until 6 p.m., at the Werry Funeral Home in Poseyville, Ind.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 10 N. St. Francis Avenue, PO Box 100, Poseyville, IN 47633.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family online at: www.werryfuneralhomes.com.